DENVER — Republican Representative Lauren Boebert is on the brink of discovering whether her strategic decision to switch between congressional districts in Colorado during an election cycle will be detrimental to the GOP’s standing in the U.S. House or bolster it.
Boebert, a prominent figure in the far-right movement, won her 2022 election by a mere 546 votes. Currently, she faces a rematch in 2024 against a well-financed Democratic opponent amidst controversies, including a scandal that featured her vaping and disrupting a performance in a Denver theater. This led her to retreat from her previous district race, claiming that her departure would assist in preserving a Republican seat.
Subsequently, Boebert shifted her focus to Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, which is situated in a more conservative region of the Great Plains. She expressed that her voice remains vital in Congress and aimed to establish her relevance in this new arena.
Navigating through a competitive and tumultuous Republican primary presented her with significant challenges. Boebert faced accusations of being an outsider while also coping with the fallout from the Denver theater incident. However, with a notable public profile and an endorsement from Trump, she successfully emerged from a crowded Republican field.
Currently, Boebert appears positioned for victory against Democratic contender Trisha Calvarese in a district that had favored Trump by nearly 20 percentage points during the 2020 election.
Nonetheless, uncertainties linger about whether her exit from her old district will suffice for Republicans to retain it. Prior to her departure, Democratic candidate Adam Frisch had garnered considerable donations for a non-incumbent, capitalizing on his near victory against Boebert in 2022.
Frisch’s campaign focus revolves around the idea of “stopping the circus,” criticizing Boebert’s approach as “angertainment.” In the absence of Boebert as a target, he has returned to a moderate platform, aiming to represent rural voices and promote bipartisan policies.
As a former Aspen councilman and currency trader, Frisch boasts one of the largest campaign war chests for the House, significantly overshadowing those of GOP candidate Jeff Hurd.
It remains uncertain how effective Frisch’s campaign will be against the backdrop of the district’s Republican leanings. Hurd, an attorney, presents a milder conservative stance compared to Boebert, and he has expressed a preference for focusing on local issues rather than national headlines. The perceived lack of controversy tied to his name on the ballot might be advantageous for him.
Boebert’s anticipated win in her new district will fill the vacancy left by former Rep. Ken Buck, who resigned due to frustrations with rigid party politics and unwavering allegiance to Trump—characteristics that have also defined Boebert’s own political brand.
In comments recorded at a private gathering, Buck described Boebert as making George Santos look virtuous, further emphasizing the ongoing discussions about the Republican Party’s alignment with Trump.
Boebert has framed her firm political stance—particularly her blockade against the election of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as House speaker—as a fulfillment of her pre-election promises, continuously highlighting her commitment to her core beliefs.